Nepal Communist Party (Unified Marxist-Leninist) leader Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli has been appointed as the country’s new prime minister. The corresponding decision was made by Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel.
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72-year-old Sharma Oli has previously served as head of the Nepalese government twice (2015-2016, 2018-2021). This time he replaced Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known by his party name Prachanda (“ferocious”, “formidable”), who, after the collapse of the ruling coalition, did not receive the confidence of the House of Representatives, the lower house of parliament. Over the past 16 years, Nepal has seen 13 governments.
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On July 12, after Prachanda’s resignation, Sharma Oli’s candidacy was supported by 166 legislators, including 78 from his party and 88 from his coalition ally, the Nepali Congress Party. With the leader of this party, former Prime Minister Bahadur Deuba (2021-2022), they agreed to alternately lead the government until new parliamentary elections, which are to be held in 2027. Under this agreement, Sharma Oli will become prime minister for the next year and a half, and Deuba will become prime minister for the remainder of the term until the next elections.
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The swearing-in ceremony of the new prime minister and members of his cabinet will take place on July 15.
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According to the constitution, the Sharma Oli government must obtain the confidence of parliament within 30 days of appointment.
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Earlier, as prime minister, Sharma Oli espoused nationalist rhetoric and took a tough stance against India on border disputes and trade. He also sought closer relations with China and engaged with Beijing on projects under the Belt and Road Initiative. This time, Sharma Oli’s party said that Nepal can achieve economic prosperity only by maintaining close friendly relations with India and that the party will not allow any anti-India activities in the country. The new prime minister reportedly wants to take Nepal-India relations to the next level to attract foreign investment, promote trade and achieve economic prosperity.
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In 2023, Sharma Oli criticized the Nepalese authorities for their decision to vote against Russia at a meeting of the UN General Assembly on the conflict in Ukraine. The move was a departure from Nepal’s stated foreign policy of neutrality, he said. According to the politician, Nepal should not take sides.
